The newest chapter in the X-Men franchise, X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) is set to premiere in less than a month's time. But before the film premieres, there are quite a few questions on the minds of fans. One in particular, has to do with what Nate Grey is doing in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016).

Nate Grey's cameo in "X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)".

The brief screenshot of Nate Grey in the upcoming X-Men: Apocalypse has fans speculating on what his role will be in the film. Now we need to remember that the film is already packed to the brim with new and returning mutants of the franchise. There isn't a lot of room to introduce a whole new sect of 'X-Men' to the standing universe. X-Men: Apocalypse is going to have a difficult time presenting all the new mutants highlighted in the film, there won't be room for an entire backstory to be played out for a minor character like Nate Grey. However, there may be more importance to the presence of Nate Grey in the trailer for X-Men: Apocalypse than previously thought.

Nate Grey, circled.

We can put aside the implications of Nate Grey's inclusion in the current 'X-Men' universe. There's plenty of room to develop his character in future films, as well as Nate's origins which feature some very well-known villains of Marvel Comics. But for now, there's another reason why Nate Grey is present during X-Men: Apocalypse.

Nate Grey, X-Men: DOFP.

The Nate Grey appearance in "X-Men: Days of Future Past"

Going back to the beginning scene of X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), there's a mysterious person covered in a hood, while Ian McKellen's Magneto is giving a monologue on the events that led them to the current day. And just as Magneto is finishing his monologue, there's a clear look at the hooded person we see running at the beginning of the scene. And his look is quite a sight. The white streak of hair is enough to identify who this person is, and he's a mutant.

Nate Grey, X-Men: DOFP.

The image embed above is from X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), and that is Nate Grey in the flesh. There's only a few seconds of his presence in X-Men: DOFP, but his cameo is enough to provide the connectivity between all the 'X-Men' films. It's obvious that X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and X-Men: Apocalypse are all connected but is there more to Nate Grey's presence in both films? For now, we don't know how much of Nate Grey's origin will be touched upon in X-Men: Apocalypse but having the young Nate Grey in the current timeline, as well as an older Nate Grey in the future timeline of X-Men: DOFP means that there'll be more for Nate Grey in the future of the "X-Men" franchise.

Nate Grey, Marvel Comics.

Is Nate Grey headlining the "New Mutants"?

Apart from speculation, we know that there is currently a new 'X-Men' film in development, X-Men: The New Mutants. That team is supposedly set for a brand new team of mutants, not seen before. In the Marvel, comic-book incarnation of the team, the base of the team consisted of Karma, Wolfsbane, Mirage, Sunspot, and Cannonball. Only Sunspot has made an appearance in X-Men: DOFP, whom could potentially be played by a younger version of himself in X-Men: The New Mutants. But as for the rest of the team, it appears that X-Men: Apocalypse is setting up the rest of the team with cameos from notable 'X-Men' like Nate Grey. We can't include Sunspot in X-Men: The New Mutants until casting has been confirmed, but the idea of Nate Grey being a pivotal character in X-Men: The New Mutants is definitely plausible with several incarnations of the character being present in the recent 'X-Men' films. There has to be more reason for the character of Nate Grey to be included in multiple 'X-Men' films, over simple cameo appearances. Which means that Nate Grey will likely be the first member of the new X-team in X-Men: The New Mutants.

The New Mutants.

Is "The New Mutants" story being revamped for the 'X-Men' cinematic universe?

Along with Nate Grey on the team of the New Mutants, there are more cast members of X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) whom have potential to star in X-Men: The New Mutants as well. Apart from Nate, there's also the possibility of Jubilee (Lana Condor) being part of X-Men: The New Mutants. She's set to make her first appearance in the 'X-Men' universe in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) but she's not one of the central stars of the film, which puts her in a place of contention to be on the new mutant team in X-Men: The New Mutants. The lineup of mutants will likely deviate quite a sum from the Marvel Comics' depiction of the 'New Mutants'. And the recent cameo appearances of Nate Grey in 'X-Men' films could be leading up to X-Men: The New Mutants being headlined by Nate Grey and a team of mutants, not seen before.

What do you think? Who do you want to see in X-Men: The New Mutants? And does Nate Grey's appearance in X-Men: Apocalypse set him up as the lead in The New Mutants? Or could Nate Grey be the central focus of another 'X-Men' film, possibly Deadpool 2, alongside Cable/Nathan Summers and Deadpool/Wade Wilson? Have any thoughts. Leave them in the comment section. Follow me at moviepilot.com/paulswall